THANJAVUR: The temple town is all set for the 1,026th birth anniversary celebrations — popularly known as Sadhaya Thiruvizha — of emperor Rajaraja Chola, on November 4 and 5.With the prospect of rains looming, authorities of the Big Temple, in association with the municipal officials, have erected a mega pandal in the temple prakaram.The celebrations, organised on the Tamil astral day of Sadhayam — the birth star of Rajaraja — are an annual affair.According to Arumugham, an organiser, “Despite the heavy rains, we have been preparing for the festival for the past three days with the help of the authorities”.Sources said that this time around, special arrangements have been made to accommodate a large number of visitors. A police official added that adequate security arrangements were also in place.A source in the collectorate said that the district officials held several rounds of meetings to plan the mega festival.Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanickam would be chief guest on the inaugural day.Declared as a World Heritage Centre by UNESCO, the temple attracts close to three lakh visitors every year.Benjamin Tucker from the UK, a regular to the event, said, “Since I missed the 1,000th year celebrations, I am here this time to be part of the mega event.” Maria, a tourist from Australia, said, “I think I am lucky to visit the temple on this occasion”.Cultural and literary programmes have been lined up on both festival days.
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